I climbed out of the crater slowly, brushing dust from my white-and-gold robes. My landing had cracked the stone square into spiderweb patterns, and bits of rubble still shifted under my boots. The crowd parted like I was a dangerous beast—or maybe something holy.
Lady Lydia stood her ground, her blue eyes fixed on me with that same curious calmness. She didn't flinch when I stepped closer.
Up close, I could see the faint lines at the corners of her eyes—signs of experience, not age. Her smile was small but measured, the smile of someone who didn't give it away lightly.
"You certainly know how to make an entrance, Mister Han Yu," she said.
"I… didn't exactly plan it," I replied with an awkward chuckle. "The wind caught me… in a strange way."
Her eyebrow arched just slightly, but she didn't press for more. "I would invite you to my estate. We can talk somewhere more private. My people are curious, but they also have work to return to."
She turned her head slightly and spoke in a firm voice to the villagers. "Everyone, please return to your homes and tasks. There is no danger."
Reluctantly, they began to disperse, though many still glanced over their shoulders at me, whispering. Some children waved shyly; I waved back, which earned me a few giggles.
Lydia stepped aside, gesturing for me to walk beside her. "Follow me, if you please."
We walked along a cobblestone road that wound between modest homes made of wood and stone. Chickens scratched at the dirt in small yards, and the air carried the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery.
The people of Estor clearly lived simple lives, but their village was clean and well-kept. Fences were repaired, roofs looked sturdy, and every house had a small garden patch.
"You seem to have a well-managed village," I commented.
Lydia smiled faintly. "We do what we can. Estor is far from the big cities, so we rely on ourselves for most things. I inherited responsibility for this place from my father, and I take that duty seriously."
"I can see that," I said sincerely.
She glanced at me sideways. "And you? From what you've said, you're not from any kingdom near here."
"That's true," I replied, careful to choose my words. "I come from a faraway continent. Very far, across a vast ocean. The journey here was… complicated."
"Complicated?" she asked, a note of curiosity in her tone.
I gave her a vague smile. "Let's just say it wasn't by ship."
Her lips curved slightly, but she didn't push further. "That explains your accent and clothing, I suppose. Your robes are unlike anything I've seen—finely made, but not of any style I recognize."
I glanced down at them. The embroidery seemed to catch sunlight in ways normal thread couldn't. "A gift from… someone important to me."
We passed a group of men repairing a cart wheel. They paused to stare openly at me, eyes flicking from my height to the golden patterns on my clothes. Lydia's presence seemed to stop them from approaching.
At the end of the main road, we reached a manor built on a slight rise overlooking the village. It wasn't a massive palace, but it had two floors, wide windows, and a tiled roof. A stone wall surrounded it, and guards in simple armor stood at the gate.
They saluted Lydia immediately. "My lady." Their eyes shifted to me, uncertain.
"He is my guest," Lydia told them firmly. "See that no one disturbs us."
The guards stepped aside, and we entered the courtyard. A fountain stood at the center, water spilling gently from a carved stone bowl. Flowerbeds surrounded it, their blooms a riot of reds and yellows.
Inside, the manor was warmly lit and smelled faintly of lavender. The floors were polished wood, and the furniture, though not extravagant, was of fine craftsmanship. Servants in simple uniforms moved quietly about, bowing to Lydia as she passed.
She led me to a sitting room with tall windows that let in plenty of light. Plush chairs faced each other across a low table set with a teapot and cups.
"Please, sit," she said, taking the chair opposite mine.
I sank into the seat, grateful for the chance to rest. My mind was still processing the fact that I had fallen from the sky into a fantasy village less than an hour ago.
Lydia poured tea into two cups and handed one to me. "This is from the southern valleys. A mild flavor, good for conversation."
I took a sip. It was fragrant, with a faint sweetness.
"So," she began, "a man from a faraway continent falls into my village square, unharmed after a drop that would kill most people, wearing robes fit for a prince, and radiating more magical energy than my court mage has in his lifetime. If I were suspicious by nature, I might think you were here for… political reasons."
"I can assure you, I'm not here to cause trouble," I said. "I didn't even know where I'd land. In truth, I was… sent here."
"Sent?"
I nodded slowly. "By someone with great power. They told me I was needed in this land. I didn't ask for this journey, but now that I'm here, I want to… make the most of it."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but not in hostility—more in thought. "And what is it you intend to do here, Mister Han Yu?"
I hesitated. "I'm a builder. An engineer. Where I come from, I studied the design and construction of structures, roads, bridges… even systems to bring clean water to entire cities. If I can help your people, I'd like to."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "Those are ambitious claims."
"I can prove it," I said without thinking.
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "Oh? Perhaps we shall see. But I must be honest—Estor is not wealthy. We have no gold to pay for grand projects, and even if we did, finding skilled laborers is difficult. Our men work the fields, not construction sites."
I sipped my tea again, hiding a smile. "That won't be a problem."
Lydia seemed to consider me for a moment. "Very well. If you wish to help, perhaps we can start small. There's an old well at the edge of the village. Its walls are crumbling, and the water has grown cloudy. We've been relying on the river instead, but it's a long walk for the elderly and the young."
"A well? That's simple enough," I said.
"Simple?" Her tone carried mild disbelief. "The last mason we hired worked on it for weeks before giving up. The stones kept collapsing inwards."
I stood. "Show me."
Her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before she rose as well. "Very well, Mister Han Yu. Let's see what a man from a faraway continent can do."
Lydia seemed to consider me for a moment. "Very well. If you wish to help, perhaps we can start small. There's an old well at the edge of the village. Its walls are crumbling, and the water has grown cloudy. We've been relying on the river instead, but it's a long walk for the elderly and the young."
"A well? That's simple enough," I said.
"Simple?" Her tone carried mild disbelief. "The last mason we hired worked on it for weeks before giving up. The stones kept collapsing inwards."
I stood. "Show me."
Her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before she rose as well. "Very well, Mister Han Yu. Let's see what a man from a faraway continent can do."
By the time we returned to the manor, word had clearly spread through the village. People waved to me now, smiling, their earlier fear replaced with curiosity and even admiration.
Lydia seemed thoughtful during the walk back. Finally, as we reached the courtyard, she said, "You have given Estor a gift today. The villagers will remember this."
"I'm glad," I replied.
She paused at the manor steps. "You should stay here tonight. I have rooms for guests, and I'd like to speak with you further over dinner. There's much I still don't know about this 'faraway continent' of yours."
I inclined my head. "Thank you. That would be an honor."
She studied me for a moment longer before smiling faintly. "Very well, Mister Han Yu. Let us see what other surprises you have in store for us."
That night, as the sun dipped behind the hills, I stood at the guest room window, looking out over Estor. Lanterns glowed warmly along the streets, and I could hear faint laughter from the tavern.
I didn't know what destiny the goddesses had in mind for me—but I knew one thing for certain:
This village could become the beginning of something far greater.
And I intended to build it.